---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Proverbs 16"
description: "CHAPTER 16   :-. 1. preparations—schemes. in man—or literally,
\"to man,\" belonging, or pertaining to him. the answer . . . Lord—The
efficient ordering is"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/proverbs/16"
---

CHAPTER 16

.

**1. preparations**—schemes.
**in man**—or literally,
"to man," belonging, or pertaining to him.
**the answer . . . Lord**—The
efficient ordering is from God: "Man proposes; God disposes."

**2. clean**—or, "faultless."
**weigheth**—or, "tries,"
"judges," implying that they are faulty ([Proverbs 21:2](../../../kjv/proverbs/21/2);
[Proverbs 24:12](../../../kjv/proverbs/24/12)).

**3.** (Compare *Margin*). Rely
on God for success to your lawful purposes.

**4. for himself**—"for its
answer," or "purpose," that is, according to God's
plan; the wicked are for the day of evil ([Psalms 49:5](../../../kjv/psalms/49/5);
[Jeremiah 17:18](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/18)); sinning and suffering
answer to each other, are indissolubly united.

**5.** (Compare ).

**6. By mercy and truth**—that is,
God's ([Psalms 85:10](../../../kjv/psalms/85/10)); He effects
the atonement, or covering of sin; and the principles of true piety
incline men to depart from evil; or, "mercy" and "truth"
may be man's, indicative of the gracious tempers which work
instrumentally in procuring pardon.
**purged**—expiated (as in
[Leviticus 16:33](../../../kjv/leviticus/16/33); [Isaiah 27:9](../../../kjv/isaiah/27/9),
*Hebrew*).

**7.** Persecutions, of course,
excepted.

**8.** (Compare [Proverbs 15:6](../../../kjv/proverbs/15/6);
[Proverbs 15:16](../../../kjv/proverbs/15/16); [Proverbs 15:17](../../../kjv/proverbs/15/17)).

**9.** (Compare ).
**directeth**—establisheth.

**10.** The last clause depends on
the first, expressing the importance of equity in decisions, so
authoritative.

**11. are the Lord's . . . his
work**—that is, what He has ordered, and hence should be observed
by men.

**12.** Rulers are rightly expected,
by their position, to hate evil; for their power is sustained by
righteousness.

**13.** A specification of the
general sentiment of [Proverbs 16:12](../../../kjv/proverbs/16/12).

**14.** This wrath, so terrible and
certain, like *messengers of death* (), can be appeased by the wise.

**15. light of . . . countenance**—favor
([Psalms 4:6](../../../kjv/psalms/4/6)).
**life**—preserves it, or
gives blessings which make it valuable.
**the latter rain**—fell
just before harvest and matured the crop; hence specially valuable
([Deuteronomy 11:14](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/11/14)).

**16.** (Compare [Proverbs 3:16](../../../kjv/proverbs/3/16);
[Proverbs 4:5](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/5)).

**17. The highway**—A common,
plain road represents the habitual course of the righteous in
departing from evil.
**keepeth**—observes.

**18, 19.** (Compare ). Haughtiness and pride imply self-confidence which
produces carelessness, and hence
**a fall**—literally,
"sliding."

**19. divide the spoil**—that is,
conquer. Avoid the society of the proud ().

**20. handleth a matter**—wisely
considers "the word," that is, of God (compare ).
**trusteth**—(Compare
[Psalms 2:12](../../../kjv/psalms/2/12); [Psalms 118:8](../../../kjv/psalms/118/8);
[Psalms 118:9](../../../kjv/psalms/118/9)).

**21. wise in heart**—who rightly
consider duty.
**sweetness of the
lips**—eloquent discourse, persuades and instructs others.

**22. Understanding**—or,
"discretion," is a constant source of blessing (), benefiting others; but fools' best efforts are folly.

**23.** The heart is the source of
wisdom flowing from the mouth.

**24.** (Compare ). Gentle, kind words, by soothing the mind, give the body
health.

**25.** (Compare ).

**26.** Diligence is a duty due to
one's self, for his wants require labor.

**27. ungodly man**—(Compare ).
**diggeth up evil**—labors
for it.
**in his lips . . . fire**—His
words are calumniating ([James 3:6](../../../kjv/james/3/6)).

**28.** (Compare [Proverbs 6:14](../../../kjv/proverbs/6/14);
[Proverbs 10:31](../../../kjv/proverbs/10/31)).
**whisperer**—prater,
talebearer ([Proverbs 18:8](../../../kjv/proverbs/18/8); [Proverbs 26:20](../../../kjv/proverbs/26/20)).

**29. violent man**—or, "man
of mischief" ([Proverbs 3:31](../../../kjv/proverbs/3/31)).
**enticeth**— ([Proverbs 3:31](../../../kjv/proverbs/3/31)).

**30. He shutteth his eyes**—denoting
deep thought ([Psalms 64:6](../../../kjv/psalms/64/6)).
**moving his lips**—or,
"biting his lips"—a determined purpose ([Psalms 64:6](../../../kjv/psalms/64/6)).

**31.** (Compare ).
**if**—or, *which* may
be supplied properly, or without it the sense is as in [Proverbs 3:16](../../../kjv/proverbs/3/16);
[Proverbs 4:10](../../../kjv/proverbs/4/10), that piety is blessed
with long life.

**32.** (Compare ).
**taketh a city**—that is,
by fighting.

**33.** Seemingly the most
fortuitous events are ordered by God.

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